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      recent acquisition of Conrail by Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation
      will extend the reach of Maryland's rail system. Maryland is not,
      however, the only state responding to these changes, and competitive
      pressures in the marketplace are challenging Maryland's position. These
      pressures call for increased attention by both the public and private
      sectors to ensure a continued role for Maryland as a predominant force
      in the domestic and international freight marketplace.

      Freight Goal

      MDOT will enhance economic competitiveness and the mobility of freight
      with a safe, competitive and flexible freight transportation system.

      Freight Policies

        MDOT will pursue a strategic development program for the Port of
        Baltimore's marine terminals and other landside facilities to keep
        Maryland competitive in the global marketplace.
        MDOT will upgrade and where necessary expand the primary highway
        system to accommodate rapid and safe motor freight distribution, while
        continuing a high level of maintenance and preservation on State
        highways.
        MDOT will cooperate with the Maryland State Police to ensure adequate
        truck weighing and safety inspections.
        MDOT will facilitate communication between freight movers and
        communities to help them understand and advance their common
        interests.
        MDOT will make accommodation of freight a priority in making capital
        improvements to the Baltimore/Washington International Airport.
        MDOT will make enhancements to the State-owned rail network targeted
        to improve the economic competitiveness of the State.
        MDOT will work with Class I and II railroads to improve the Maryland
        freight network and its movement of commodities.
        MDOT will promote the improvement of intermodal freight facilities.
        MDOT will support and participate in freight planning and advocacy
        organizations.
        MDOT will proactively identify long term freight facility needs and
        protect strategic locations for future projects.
        MDOT will promote advanced technology to allow freight to travel
        safely and efficiently.
        MDOT will continue to emphasize safety in the development, improvement
        and management of freight transportation facilities.

      Regional Transportation Element

      The Regional Transportation policy element is focused on strategies for
      improving the mobility of people and goods in Maryland, but different
      regions have different transportation needs and different solutions.
      Changes in Maryland's demography and economy have shifted the
      transportation needs of the State, challenging the capacity and
      orientation of the existing transportation network and causing MDOT to
      identify strategies to improve the efficiency of the system.
      Maryland's major urban areas fall inside the Baltimore and Capital
      Beltways. Most of the highway network is in place in these areas and
      because of the concentration of urban land uses, the strategy for
      improving mobility in these areas should, for highways, focus on
      effectively managing the existing network. For transit, the mobility
      strategy should focus first on transit operational improvements with the
      primary objective of increasing ridership, and second on providing
      additional transit facilities and services.

      The suburban region, an area consisting of a rough triangle stretching
      from Bel Air to Waldorf to Frederick should be served by a combination
      of improvements including highway, transit and demand management
      strategies. This is due to the fact that although lower density land
      uses predominate, the Maryland suburbs also include both existing and
      planned compact communities that are similar to urbanized areas.
      Maryland's rural areas are those areas of the State which fall outside
      of the "suburban triangle." Because of the large distances between
      destinations in Maryland's rural areas, most mobility needs will
      continue to be met with automobiles.

      Regional Transportation Goal

      Maryland's 20th Century transportation system is being challenged by
      changes in the State's economy and demography. Considering financial and
      environmental conformity constraints, MDOT will develop cost-effective,
      accessible and flexible transportation solutions for Maryland's urban,

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